Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jan 15: Former union minister and veteran Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary on Thursday January 15 criticized the move of some Congress factions to launch Bharatiya Hindu Parishat (BHP) and said that it was against the Constitution as well as the secular principles of the Congress party.
The Bharatiya Hindu Parishat was on Wednesday launched by the Puttur block Congress, and as per sources, the party plans to undertake similar initiatives in other cities as well, despite the fact that several Congress leaders have opposed the move.
Addressing a press meet at the district Congres office here, Poojary said, "Bharatiya Hindu Parishat is against the Constitution. We are a secular India. We (Congress) are not like BJP or the Sangh Parivar. This land is united because of secular principles, which the Indian National Congress is following. Before joining Congress there is a primary membership form where the candidate has to declare that he willl not follow untouchability, follow secular principles and emphasize on universal development. If anyone goes against this, it becomes anti-party.
"I have seen the statement of the BHP founder about building the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya - it is like that of Sangh Parivar and BJP. The Ram Mandir case is in the Supreme Court and we should accept the SC's verdict.
"It is the duty and responsibility of Congress to follow secular principles. If you want to do good work there are many issues to work for, like rapes and sexual assaults on women, caste discrimination etc. Congress has given liberty to all to practice their own religions. This is our duty, but now with the formation of BHP it is like giving 'halwa' (sweets) to BJP. Some swamijis are happy about this. There are several problems like ration card, roads, electricity - fight for people on these issues - why form BHP? Will your (BHP members') soul accept it? Are you greater than the Father of the Nation? Who asked you to form this BHP? Tomorrow Christians, Muslims, Bunts and Billawas will also form their own groups. This is against the Congress party and the party should take action," he said.
When reporters asked if he himself would try to initiate any action in the matter, Poojary said, "I lost the elections, I do not have power to take action or terminate BHP. But if I had been in power, I would have gone to their houses and taken action myself."
Attacking the Narendra Modi government at the centre over the recent land ordinance and accusing it of being anti-farmer, he said, "Modi government came to power with assurances of pro-people prorgrammes and that farmers would be protected and everyone would be treated as equals. These assurances were given to the nation. All parties consider farmers as the backbone of the nation, but the Modi government is burying the farmers alive. The previous UPA government held meetings with farmers and agriculture experts and considering their opinion, the Land Act was amended and passed in the Parliament. Even BJP had supported it. But after coming to power, Narendra Modi under his autocratic rule, has brought about an ordinance to repeal some provisions of the Act. The people of India should think about it. If farmers become idle, there will be no food for 125 crore people.
"Because farmers were committing suicide, the UPA government had passed the Land Act, but BJP came to power and now they are building a tomb for farmers," he added.
"As much as 75 percent of the people in India are farmers living in villages and depending on agriculture. The UPA had wanted employment and industries for people and had great plans for the public sector. The Congress had plans to control the industries. The BJP has brought about an ordinance which is against the labour class. It will affect 1.70 lac labourers. Earlier the Labour Act was applicable for a company with 10 labourers, but now it has to have 40 labourers," he said.
Explaining the Modi government's ordinance he said, "Do you know about the ordinance? Modi says there is no need for environmental impact report and expert panel report for a project of public interest. If land is acquired for a public project there is no need for giving another land in its place. Though 80 pecent of land acquired may not be used, you still need not return the unused land, and even market value of the land need not be given. Also, public or media's objection is not necessary, and within 12 months work should be implemented."
He further added, "Today even railway stations are given in the hands of capitalists to protect and facilitate them. If BJP cannot protect the people's interests, it will have to face a blow. The BJP should think about this. Only 32 percent voted for the BJP, and 80 percent of Hindus are not in favour of BJP or the Sangh Parivar. In country where there are many religions, castes and sects, it is the governemnt's duty to protect them. No one is a slave in democracy; people are the leaders. There is no respect for politicians in India. The BJP should implement whatever it said in the manifesto and treat everyone equally."